Why not

We have moved...a lot. Mostly due to Steve's job during those first years in our marriage. Most recently because we wanted to "come home" to our families, the beach, where we grew up. With each move there has generally been not only the stresses that come with a move, but usually a new job and a new baby. I remember reading in a magazine years ago what the top 10 stresses were in life. Along with death and divorce; moving, a new baby, and new job were right up there. Some days I wonder if my kids will be giving me their therapy bill. Most days I look at them and can't believe how well they handle transition.

This is not how I grew up, it's not how Steve grew up either. There were two houses I lived in during my childhood years...my parents moved us an hour south, closer to the beach when I was 5 or 6. All my childhood memories were from that house. My kids won't have that. Unless of course we stay in this house until Griffy and Will are out of school. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Who knows really. I do know that I wouldn't trade it. I love that Hannah was born in Germany, in a German hospital and that Stephen called our landlords Oma and Opa. I love the traveling that we were able to do in Europe and here in the States. I love the friends we've made in each place we called home. I love the process of making a house a home. Setting up the kitchen is always a favorite of mine. Each box opened carefully and in it finding a tea cup bought in England or a piece of crystal found in Prague. The memories of those trips are in my thoughts as I find a new spot for them in a cupboard.

With each move there have been many tears and arguments and back breaking work. I remember well the first move. Steve and I had been living together in a great little apartment in Beacon Hill in Boston. The day after our wedding we packed our car and a U-haul trailer with our few possessions, hung a sign on the back that read "Just Married" and hit the road. Waving goodbye to our parents and siblings, I was excited to start our new life. Who knew there would be at least 6 more moves, 4 new jobs and 4 kids in our future. People have asked us if we're done moving. Who knows. Just the other day Steve said.."Wouldn't it be cool to live in Europe again, maybe after Stephen goes to college?" I said, "Why not."